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Fashionable

My #ootd (or outfit of the day for those unaware of fashion blogger hashtags) from two days ago included an oversized blazer. Many of you were asking where I got it so I decided to post some recommendations on how to rock this look and where to get it.

The oversized look has been in fashion for a while now, it’s still going strong and I personally love it. I’m a big fan of oversized jackets, overcoats, sweaters… and there are so many options as to the way you can wear them and look stylish. I often wear something tight or on the short side with something oversized as I like the juxtaposition of styles. But I also like oversized everything! For example culottes with a loose blouse and mens blazer.

Below are some great options for rocking the oversized look, click the images to shop.

Yesterday was one of those days. It was a cold, snowy day here in New England and I certainly was not in the mood to “adult”. I rolled out of bed, got the kids ready and walked them up to the bus stop. Snow coming down as we walked quickly but steadily to the stop, as we were running late but also didn’t want to slip and fall.

The adults and kids are all there waiting in cold anticipation for the bus to arrive. Of course it’s late, it’s always late on the snowiest and coldest days. There’s a diverse group of adults, not in terms of skin color, my neighborhood is about 90% white Irish. I think I may be the most “ethnic” with my Eastern European background. But diverse in terms of career. Some in suits ready to rush to work after the bus arrives and others in much more casual attire, like myself who arrived in pajamas. I feel grateful that I don’t have to make the mad dash to an office but can’t help but feel a sense of shame as well.

I work part time and am home mostly with my children. I’m very blessed for that. It sometimes makes me uneasy when I feel as though others don’t understand what I “do all day.” I’m crazy about my children and love being home with them. Taking care of my kids certainly takes up most of my time! I struggle with telling people that I’m a “blogger” or a “stylist” in my spare time, since it’s not a steady office job with benefits. I enjoy everything I do, but most people don’t understand it and sometimes think I’m living in la la land hoping to make a living out of what I love doing. Especially at the tender age of 39.

Perhaps these feelings stem from my own insecurities. Do others suffer with this same feeling when they stand at the bus stop? That feeling of “what do all these people think of my life choices”? Sounds silly and I realize I’m not that important for everyone to be thinking about, but it crosses my mind at times when I’m feeling particularly glum and insecure.

In the meantime I’m going to keep updating my blog in my “spare time” and I’m going to shop for prettier pajamas to wear to the bus stop…

This is pretty much what I was wearing this morning. Except mine had a donuts and coffee print making me feel even more silly and pushing me further in a state of questioning my purpose in life. I love these, they remind me of the pajamas my grandfather used to wear.

Jogger bottoms are the best, they’re comfortable and wearable in public. Make this a full outfit with a sweater and boots. Monotone is the look right now, so I picked a cream sweater and booties to complete the style.

I’ve always loved extra long sweaters and jackets, or “dusters”. There’s something very elegant about this look and it’s been a really hot trend this season. I’m on the search for one that it unique, chic and edgy and here’s a few I came across that fit the mold…

This one from Shein.com is so elegant and cool! I love how they styled it with a head scarf and big sunnies. So chic.

2) Kimono’s are a great way to sport this look. This one is from Nordstrom and a perfect transition piece for spring.

3) Fit 3 trends into one with this gorgeous mustard yellow, velvet duster from Nasty Gal.

I’ve had an interesting week dealing with multiple circumstances involving bullying. When you’re a parent it tends to come up a lot. Whether your child is bing bullied or they are the culprit, it’s a tough subject. Especially because it’s something all of us deal with throughout our lives so it’s so important to arm your child and yourself with the skills to deal with such nonsense.

What does this have to do with fashion? Fashion is one area that people get bullied about a lot. Most of us have heard or maybe even delivered the line “did you see what she’s wearing?!” in that snobby, condescending and borderline frightened tone. And I suppose if you want to quietly judge someone behind their back that’s you’re prerogative but it’s not kind or productive to blatantly or passive aggressively hurt someone’s feelings based on something superficial and relative to one’s own taste.

So what happened to spawn my writing on this subject? My son wore a hat to school, not the common baseball hat, but a fedora that to me is adorable and even more adorable that he wanted to wear it. I had my suspicions that he may get made fun of because of it and he did. On the bus they grabbed it, through it back and forth making fun of him for wearing it. This broke my heart. As it does when something of this nature happens to your child. I want him to feel free to be himself and not care what others think of him but know this is an impossibility. I know he will forever be affected by what others think. Others opinions are good to the extent that you can learn from them when they are asked for, constructive and not delivered in a way to tear the person down.

I know that my son will never wear this hat to school again and that to me is a loss. But I will keep telling him to be himself and do what makes him happy as long as it’s not hurting anyone else. And most importantly I tell him and my other sons to “keep doing the things that make you different because that’s what makes you wonderful and will ultimately be appreciated by the people you truly want in your life.” It’s also how you will stand out among the crowd and be successful at whatever it is you want to accomplish.

Fashion is a great way to make a statement and get noticed. There are so many examples of entertainers standing out with their fashion choices. They are ultimately the ones people idolize and want to replicate. Here are some examples of fashion risk takers who influenced the world:

Keeping up with the trends isn’t easy. These days it’s simple for retailers to put out different designs based on what’s just been on the catwalk and to “knock off” designer duds within a week or month. Staying fresh is not an easy task. I work at a luxury retailer so I have a deep appreciation for designer made clothes, shoes and accessories. However it’s not lost on me that these things are out of reach of the average person, myself included.

Retailers like H&M, Forever 21, Zara and the like have made being on trend, current and fashionable a possibility for the average person. With that in mind it’s not always easy to pick through the massive amounts of inventory they have to find the items that work for you.

Here are some of my favorite pieces that reflect current styles and just might be right for you, if you have any questions about how to wear these or other styles please feel free to email me: hilary@welldressedboston.com

H&M Viscose Floral Dress. This reminds me of the dresses and boots that Victoria Beckham has been seen in recently and is a look that many can pull off. It’s not tight, shear or short! It’s a pretty, comfortable and confident look. 2) Paper Waist Culottes from Forever 21. The way it’s styles is cute and a great going out look, or if you’re a stylist like me you could wear it to work. But if you need a more “buttoned up” look I would pair these with some boots like the look above. A maroon or red color. A button down or cami with a sweater or jacket make it perfect for work. 3) Zara embellished sock booties. Did you know that Zara has one of the best shoe shops?! And these sock booties are a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe looking to be on trend and fashionable this fall.

Layering. I adore layers and being able to drape myself in all sorts of sweaters, jackets, tops, scarves etc. Maybe it’s because I feel as though I can really maximize my wardrobe by wearing so many different pieces, but it’s such a fun way to express yourself and keep cozy at the same time.

Most of the time we don’t start out loving a trend, I suppose that’s the point. New trends start out as a style that is not very popular or something completely new and different that many don’t like and are afraid to try. I’m not always immediately on board with what’s fashionable and trendy. It takes a little time for me to warm up to certain new trends, but when I do I love them and find a way of making them my own.

It takes guts to get out there and try something new and different but it can often be worth it. I love taking risks and I love people who do so as well. It’s what being fashionable is all about, so if you try something new and it doesn’t go over well, don’t be afraid to keep trying and you just may become a trendsetter.

Here are a few trends right now that aren’t so popular with the masses but I’m pretty sure will grow on a lot of people, so keep your eyes out for these looks.

Sunglasses. The trend is interestingly a throwback and a look forward. The sleek futuristic style of the 80s is back. I love these ones from Dior.

2. Choker necklaces. I was obsessed with choker necklaces in the 90s and so glad they’ve made a come back. And there are a lot of cool and different styles to choose from, like this gold chain, star embellished piece on Gigi.

3. Sheer tops. Cara Delevingne is definitely known for her taste-making skills, and this look is a great example of that. I love the way she makes this sexy look both classy and elegant, pairing it with black cropped pants and heels.